Murugan, The
Hindu God of War

Murugan, the youthful warrior god, is a
Hindu god primarily regarded by Southern Indians. While other Hindus
throughout India regularly recognize ShivaandVishnu, the name Murugan
is strictly originating in the south of India.

Murugan statues typically include the Hindu god carrying a deathly
spear, his favorite weapon. Murugan is known as a protector of his
devotees and is said to be generous in granting boons (or good
blessings). Sculptures of Murugan also show him as bring
brilliantly handsome, and positioned to look courageous or to reveal
his love of dancing. Priests of Murugan actually launch into a
spectacular dance in order to connect to Murugan and channel the
wisdom and power of this warrior god.

Over time, Murugan has become associated
with Skanda (also known as Kartikeya), the six headed warrior son of Shiva,
who was nursed by six mothers (the six bright stars of the Pleiades).
Depictions or statues of Skanda often show him battling Taraka, a demon who
had caused an uproar in heaven and threw many gods out. But Skanda, the
incarnation of male courage, defeated the demon.

Sculptures or statues of Murugan will
often show him with six heads, which represent six siddhis, or
accomplishments, bestowed upon him. Murugan (as often called Kartikeya or
Skanda) is now proclaimed as the bestower of siddhis upon others who perform
rites of passage, especially yogis.

Murugan is also known by a host of other
names, and statues of Murugan are often called by these alternatives. Some
of the most popular names by which Murugan is known are Arumugam (six-faced
being), Kumara (male child), Guhan (dweller of caves), and Kadamban (one
who wears flowers on his shoulders).

Sculptures of Murugan often include
several weapons. The most common of these symbolic weapons on Murugan
statues is the Vel
(a divine spear or lance that symbolizes his purification of human Ďsiní).
Other weapons of Murugan statues include a club, a javelin, a discus and a
bow. Muruganís club symbolizes his great strength. The javelin symbolizes
the great reach of his protection. When pictured with a discus, a Murugan
statue stands for the truth. With his bow in hand, a Murugan statue is a
symbolic replica of this Hindu godís ability to defeat manís destructive
power with precision.

Today, statues of Murutan or Skanda are
said to represent virile male energy, directed in a constructive manner
instead of a destructive path. Murugan statues are a reminder that when
male energy is properly channeled, the oppressed are helped and virtue and
order can be restored into the world. Murugan statues are also given as
gifts for yogis who successfully accomplish one of the many siddhis, on the
path to perfection.